Cabana info

[thaggie1]

We are staying at the GF in August and I though about a cabana rental for one day. The cabanas at the Contemporary look AMAZING but the GF just so so.

Has anyone done a cabana rental? Any opinions?

 

[focusondisney]

Sorry I have no experience with this. You might want to ask on the Grand Floridian thread. The first post has a link to info & pictures. Plus I'm sure you will get some first hand reviews.

 

[DIXIEDIVAMOM]

We saw the Cabanas when we were there in 2015. I had thought about rental as well until I saw where they were located. They are set up in the area by smaller pool that has the slide. There is maybe four feet between the Cabana and the edge of the pool where the steps are. I noticed that every time kids got out of the pool they would go over to the Cabana. Just not what I would enjoy being so close to the edge of the pool. They also seemed smaller than what the pictures showed for the price.

 

[thaggie1]

Well I guess I'll will have to call because that would be a deal breaker for me! Last thing I want is a bunch of kids running up to the cabana.

 

[cutigerlady]

We've rented them at both the GF and Contemporary. You pick a half day or full day. I would recommend starting with a half day. We were able to extend our time to the whole day without any issue (in June). There is a mini fridge stocked with soda and water and you get this huge fruit tray. We also had big tubes of lotion and aloe. There is a TV, iPod speaker, phone, and fan inside along with a couch, loungers, and chairs. We also had a lock box to store valuables. A host stops by to check on you and can bring you drinks/food (extra cost).

We would do this again in a heartbeat for a relaxing pool day. My kids LOVED it! My husband LOVED it! We rented one when my husband was at a conference and all his friends hung out with us all afternoon. I don't recall the exact cost. I know I booked it through deep lay and they told me where to check in.

 

[BabyFu18]

I rented a cabana at GF last year, but I have to say I think the price depends on the number of people because they did ask how people would be there and the price I paid was more than the price I've seen floating around here on the boards. Anyhow, price aside, I enjoyed the canbana and would do it again for sure. They're close to the pool, so it can get very loud especially when they do the pool games and whatnot, so if that's an issue you may not enjoy it. Being super close to the edge of the pool was a good thing for me though because I use a wheelchair and I appreciated being close to a pool enterance and that someone's else in my party didn't have to go far to get my wheelchair when I was ready to get out.

I wished it had more than two loungers cause we were a party of all adults and it would have been nice to have a third or forth lounger for us all to sit out in the sun together but their really isn't enough space for that so we just took turns and some people were in the pool while others lounged. If it starts to rain they will allow you to sit inside the cabana unless the weather gets really bad (lightning) but if you have to leave because of bad weather you are refunded for a part of the day you lose. It's very nice to option to get out of the sun if you want, they do have a fridge stocked for you, sunscreen and lotions and stuff are there for your use, and the atendent will get you drinks/food (extra cost of course). Is it a necessary thing to have on your pool days, no.. but is it a nice luxury to splurge on, yes!

 

[Regan117]

We think it's worth the cost for the cabanas at GF. Our kids really only ant to swim in the Beach Pool, so it works for us. I like having a place for all of our stuff, privacy to change kids' clothes or a diaper, and being close to the bathroom. The fridge was always stocked, and our attendant was great. She came by regularly to gather trash and take dirty towels.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We just got back (well, we're on our way home) from a GF/CR split stay. We rented a cabana at GF for our arrival day since we were arriving well before check in. I'm not sure what I paid, I need to look it up. Someone above posted about 1/2 day / full day pricing - not sure if that's still accurate (if it is, that option wasn't offered to me).

I have pics, will post when I get back.

For us, it was well worth it and I give it two thumbs up.

Proximity to the pool wasn't a problem at all, that "corner" of the pool is pretty quiet. We enjoyed being steps away frankly.

 

[thaggie1]

Thanks all of you so much for all the info! I really think my girls would love it...

GADisneyDad14 would love to see your pics.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Here are my pics. Just to get your barings, the four cabanas are circled in this aerial. They are numbered 1-4, I 'think' right to left. E.g., if you're looking at them from the ground, #1 is on the right, #4 is on the left. We were in #2 which was the second one from the building. *Small caveat in case I have the numbers flipped around.



Inside the cabana. Fridge with drinks, suncreen/lotions, fan, TV, several seating options, lots of towels, Bluetooth speaker. You could have closed that curtain for more shade on the left.



View from the cabana. I enjoyed the shade. My sun-loving wife enjoyed those chairs.



A relic from a past civilization.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Other comments...

- The cabana was available from 10AM-7PM
- Cost was $254.54 including tax (includes the cabana and drinks in the fridge but you pay for all other food/beverage)
- The attendant was around quite a bit and very helpful, you can order food/drinks
- There's a button to press in the cabana to get his/her attention if needed
- The service level is reasonably good, but it's not going to be "Four Seasons" quality pool service (sorry that sounds so snotty); but with two little ones and a hot day, we were just happy to have anyone bring us a beverage!

Hope that helps!

 

[WishesQueen]

Hey Everyone!!

Just adding my two cents...we visit the GF every year and I have a DD with Albinism. We rent the cabana every other day (approx. 3 to 4 days) and love every minute of it. The frig is full of coke products and water. We only drink water and they very good in offering us as much as we like, we also receive a fruit platter which is so refreshing. The kids love the wireless bose speaker and the fall really does help make you a bit more comfortable in the Florida heat.

The attendant also will get your lunch for you from the pool bar and use TS credits, needless to say cocktails too!! We usually book the half day beginning in the morning from 10 to 2. We also, have had friends from Florida come visit us and they have never had a problem with how many people are in the cabana. I went to book second cabana once and they refused because they said everyone was in the pool and not even in the cabana. This year you have to pre-pay but prior to this year we never paid until the day we checked in, but you did get charged if you didn't show. We have been refunded if it started to pour during our time slot even if it was a couple of hours in, which is really nice. I am sorry but I can't remember the price for the half day but I am sure someone hear will chime in.

Good Luck, enjoy the Grand either way!!

 

[lexybear]

can the half day apply to later in the day like 3-7? or is strictly 10-2?

 

[Babsy]

can the half day apply to later in the day like 3-7? or is strictly 10-2?

WE had the second part of the day at the CR once a few years ago. I am not sure if it still applies but you certainly could back then.

 

[Regan117]

Just a heads up...in the past, cabanas were relatively easy to secure not very far from your travel dates. Well I called today for a GF cabana for May 15 and was told there were none available. So if you're wanting one, call early and you can cancel for a refund up to 24 hours before.

 

[Regan117]

can the half day apply to later in the day like 3-7? or is strictly 10-2?

You can do 3-7. We just did a few evenings like that one September.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Wonder why the GF and Contemporary have such a stepped up cabana - and the ones at the Poly are just for lack of a better term, a hut with chairs inside. Mind you we rented the 'hut with chairs inside' for all our pool days but wondering if its something we'll cancel for the other days after the first day.

 

[Regan117]

Wonder why the GF and Contemporary have such a stepped up cabana - and the ones at the Poly are just for lack of a better term, a hut with chairs inside. Mind you we rented the 'hut with chairs inside' for all our pool days but wondering if its something we'll cancel for the other days after the first day.

Poly used to have regular cabanas, but they did away with them after the remodel.

 

[rosiebean]

Thanks for all the info on this thread! We'll be at GF this August, and I really want to rent a cabana for a half day. The pics are great .

 

[Christi0909]

Do you think a party of 4 adults, 2 kids under 7 and 2 infants could share one cabana? Or would that be too many people? Also, can anyone confirm the price at GF for a half day? I think the $110 I saw is outdated info.